Combating terrorism: specific restrictive measures against certain persons and entities

PURPOSE : to present a proposal for a Council Regulation on specific measures directed against certain persons and entities with a view to combating international terrorism. CONTENT : at its extraordinary meeting on 21 September 2001 the European Council declared that terrorism is a real challenge to the world and to Europe, and that the fight against terrorism will be a priority objective of the European Union. It declared that combating the funding of terrorism is a decisive aspect of the fight against terrorism and called upon the Council to take the necessary measures to combat any form of financing for terrorist activities. The Regulation proposed by the Commission shall enable Member States to freeze the assets of 27 persons and bodies suspected of being involved in the 11 September attacks in the USA. Morover, the proposal contains an annex which contains a list of these 27 natural or legal persons, entities and bodies whose assets are to be frozen. This list should be amended in light of any new developments in the fight against terrorism. The proposed Regulation is intended to ensure a rapid and more coherent application of, and optimal effectiveness, of these measures throughout the European Community. In order to prevent circumvention of the proposed measures, it is also considered necessary to apply restrictions on intra-Community payments and movements of capital. The proposed measures may have to be complemented in due course by additional measures, taking into account decision made by the UN Security Council and experience with the application of the proposed measures. The Commission will make additional proposals where appropriate. �